Firefighter resigns amid inquiryAfter 16 years with the Largo Fire Department, Lt. Brian McCrea quits rather than go through an investigation into remarks he is accused of making. StorySchools' goof gives parents a shockAfter frightening hundreds of parents with a mailing mix-up, the school district will send out a new batch of letters to reassure them. Story

[Times photo: Bill Serne]

Stand of mangroves mowed downThe trees are reduced to a few inches during an effort to clean up a swath of land. Story

A healing spiritSt. Mary's church members say the Rev. William McLean was the perfect choice to help their hurting church. Story

Cookies: quest for the very bestA selection of readers' favorite Christmas cookie recipes tested and tasted by the Times. Click for special Taste section.
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NEWS UPDATETemporary stay lifted, Bottoson execution reset for Monday
Governor Jeb Bush gave Linroy Bottoson a temporary stay today nine hours before he was to die by lethal injection for the 1979 murder of an elderly woman. (more)Click here for the News Update Dead man found in Miami-area lake was passenger on plane that crashed into bank Two more state agency heads resign Eckerd College receives two gifts totaling $13-million Kong will be replaced by Mummy coaster Thurman lost despite doubled campaign spending Ferry service from Fort Myers to Key West begins

TAMPA BAYTampa city council expands historic Ybor lines Tampa decides to enlarge the district, despite protests from businesses.StoryMural to drape Tampa building The artwork by artist Theo Wujcik will cover downtown's Franklin Exchange Building.StoryVouchers for troubled Pinellas school cut off The school will no longer receive money from the McKay Scholarship Program.StoryTIA shop revenue climbs back up The airport still doesn't have as many passengers as it did before the terrorist attacks. But its stores and restaurants are doing nicely.StorySPORTSBroken toe to sideline Andreychuk 4-6 weeks TAMPA -- The Lightning is about to learn just how much of veteran Dave Andreychuk's teachings have been absorbed by its young players during the past year.StoryA bad day ends well LIGHTNING 3, OILERS 2: Without Dave Andreychuk and Jassen Cullimore, Ruslan Fedotenko's goal caps a rally. StoryTeamwork, Morris Harris led '92 Tigers I jumped into the debate with a sense of frustration mixed with confusion. The Times prep staff was naming the 10 best high school football players of all time and Morris Harris was not on the list.StoryEnigmatic? Yes. But one thing is for sure, Michael Vick is good The young Atlanta quarterback has players scrambling to catch him, and define him.StoryArledge dead of cancer at 71 TV pioneer created ABC's Wide World of Sports, Monday Night Football, Nightline."StoryBulls scrap one out vs.Cornhuskers USF 65, NEBRASKA 60: Guard Reggie Kohn and center Will McDonald each score 14 to improve to 4-0.StoryPro football challenge: Click here to playBUSINESSPinellas company to make plane part AAR Composites will make a fire barrier for military refueling jets.StoryTampa Publix accused of bias Complaints against the Bayshore Boulevard store echo those in a class-action suit settled two years ago.StoryFlorida Power, union forge new labor pact The rank-and-file must vote on the tentative contract. Union leaders say it provides "good money and good benefits."Story